A new client came to my studio for the first time last week. During consultation he said he wished to receive Reiki treatments, but he was also interested in Braucherei. I asked him what he knew about Braucherei, the sacred spiritual healing art of my ancestral culture. He admitted he knew very little, he was just curious, as he had recently heard from a friend that the two practices were similar. I informed him that the two practices are entirely different as they originate from two distinctly separate cultures. The methods, teachings, and fundamentals are not the same; however, at the core, the two practices share one common, raw material that is central to both of their existence-- life force energy/God/higher power/Deity/whatever-name-for-the-guiding-healing-energy-you-wish-to-insert. That same central core is present within EVERY cultural healing art; yoga, ayurveda, Thai Chi, Hoodoo... just to name a few.
I explained to this gentleman that Reiki is a healing art from the Japanese culture, which spread worldwide through a lineage system. Reiki involves the practitioner to become a channel through which "Ki" (life force energy) flows into the client. The practitioner is not doing the work, life force energy knows exactly what to do to move the client toward his or her own highest good. The client typically feels very relaxed during a session, and the energy can promote healing, especially when supported by sound advice from the practitioner on follow-up self-care, such as time in nature and plenty of water, with proper nutrition, as well as seeking medical or psychological care if needed. Reiki has always been a system that culturally accepts, and expects monetary payment for receipt of treatment, and for the passing of knowledge through classes, which has helped the practice grow quickly. I have taught students from all over the world, of all religions and spiritual backgrounds, as healing is met with unity.
The gentleman was especially intrigued when I informed him that I do not offer Braucherei "services." I explained to him that I have a Braucherei room in my house, and patients were invited into my home, or remote consultations whom I worked for from a distance while in my special space. He could feel my deep reverence for my Pennsylvania Dutch heritage as I explained how our folk healing practice is woven into our culture and cannot be extracted, or sold. Which is why it is verbodde (forbidden) culturally to charge money for Braucherei treatments, protections, and the knowledge through lessons. No money can be asked for. Only free will donations can be accepted, and should be left at a location to be picked up afterward by the practitioner. I told the new client that Braucherei consists of many aspects tied into the culture of agriculture and folklore of my ancestors, and I told him a little about my own ancestors who immigrated here from the Palatinate region of Europe, to settle Berks County region, and eventually migrate into Centre County and Somerset Counties. I told him of the Brauchers and Braucherins on both sides of my lineage. And some general folklore of Urglaawe, the lens through which I am currently apprenticing within Braucherei and Hexerei. I appreciated his attention, and he decided to read further about Braucherei and Hexerei.
This client proceeded to book a few Reiki appointments, and he also wished to receive some of my home remedies I craft in my kitchen from herbs and wild medicinal plants I harvest. I was happy to oblige, as this summer had been very good to me, and I have quite a variety to offer. I further appreciated his depth of understanding that Braucherei and Hexerei are not the same as other cultural healing practices, and cannot be haphazardly lumped into one category. A Braucherei practitioner will always hold a boundary of reverence for one's cultural practice, and will always uphold that boundary during practice. I offer Reiki and Yoga as ways to reach a wider audience with healing services, and that is currently my way of making a living as both practices are culturally acceptable to receiving money for service, unlike Braucherei. I also sell my herbal remedies and hand-crafted hats, but near at-cost of what I make them, as I feel they are part of a greater service. Previous to making my living teaching yoga and practicing Reiki, I was a Pennsylvania State Trooper. I served the state I love by doing very deep and difficult criminal investigation work, mostly involving children, and that was the most healing work I could offer this world during this incarnation; "life force enegy" was also at the center of that work.
So, call it what you like. Healing work comes from various cultures, and in many forms. It is very important we keep sacred that which is ours culturally, and we honor that which belongs to other cultures. If we practice within another culture, we must honor its various expressions and customs, and not disrespect that in which we are being welcomed to practice. When we represent our own, we must carve out our own place to do so in the most sacred way we know how.
Gretchen Swank
Wonderful article, Gretchen! Thank you for sharing the core differences between these healing practices, while pointing out the unity of the healing energy behind it all. Beautifully done!
Gretchen, I always appreciated your nuanced approach to healing traditions! When people insist on firm black and white boundaries, individuals' lived realities are completely lost and traditions are done a disservice.
Even in Christ's time, Palestinian Jews like Jesus, the apostles and Paul all had to navigate cultural syncretism (particularly with Hellenism) in their world, understanding and fellowship. They didn't shame and dismiss Christ's followers for adopting various aspects of Hellenism. They made clear the boundaries between the traditions and still spoke to both cultural understandings.
No tradition remains "pure" and completely unchanged through time. We are all shaped by our changing contexts, environments, and relationships, as were our forebears. We don't disregard the past and spread "misinformation" about what…